Resurrection Christian notched No. 2 seed

Resurrection Christian will play in its first-ever state volleyball tournament today, but the event will have a familiar feel for many of the players and the coach.

All but one of the 14 girls who play for the No. 2-seeded Cougars came with head coach Jane Radford two years ago when she left Heritage Christian High School in Fort Collins, a team that regularly qualified for state.

“We just knew we wanted to stay together,” said Jessica Angeli, a 17-year-old senior outside hitter. “We wanted to stay with her.”

Resurrection Christian (24-3) and Frontier Academy (21-5) will both play in their first Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament today.

Frontier coach Karen Tiffany said the school has done well to make state in its first season of Colorado High School Activities Association eligibility.

“It’s very promising for the future,” she said. “I think this is going to build our program.”

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Angeli said the impact Radford had on her life made her want to follow the coach to the new school.

“The decision was one of the hardest I’ve had to make in my life,” Angeli said. “I just knew deep down that was what I had to do.”

Radford said a good showing at state would mean a lot to the team.

“We expect to do well,” she said. “For us, it’s the culmination of a two-year experience.”

Angeli said she has high expectations for the team.

“If we can keep mentally focused, we can accomplish anything,” she said.

Frontier Academy comes into the tournament as the No. 8 seed, having squeaked in with victories over Alexander-Dawson and Wiggins before falling to Resurrection Christian in regionals Saturday.

Tiffany said the team, which is in its first full season of varsity play, has high expectations.

“We’re a very capable team,” she said. “We want to make it out of pool play. The girls have said if they play with all of their hearts, they will be satisfied.”

Radford said she was surprised so many players were willing to leave Heritage Christian and come to Resurrection.

“These girls truly adore each other,” she said.

Angeli said the experience has brought the team together.

“We’re the closest team I’ve ever been around,” she said. “We don’t have the normal girl trouble. We don’t fight. We stand behind each other. We have a common goal.”